SORT IT OUT

Rafa in warning to Ashley

RAFA BENITEZ has thrown down the gauntlet to Newcastle owner Mike Ashley by insisting he wants his future sorted before the end of the season.

Watford clinched their Premier League survival to give boss Javi Gracia some much-needed breathing space.

But all the post-match chatter focused on the uncertainty surrounding opposite number Benitez, who is a candidate to replace Claude Puel at Leicester if the Frenchman is sacked.

Benitez wants to stay at St James’ Park but has been saying he needs assurances about the direction and ambitions of the club for months.

The Spaniard has one year left to run on his contract and talks remain ongoing with the board.

But Benitez (left) has now raised the stakes by demanding clarity before the season finishes.

Asked if there would come a point in the summer when his future would need to be sorted, he said: “As soon as possible.

“What needs to happen for us to our position is that we are safe – 52,000 fans deserve that this team is competing for the top eight.” Over to you, then, Mr Ashley. Benitez insists his contract situation is not distracting his players, but they looked pretty distracted in the first half as the Hornets tore them apart to secure their survival.

Watford picked up a first win in eight games thanks to early strikes from Roberto Pereyra and then Andre Gray.

Magpies keeper Martin Dubravka then saved Troy Deeney’s penalty but Ayoze Perez’s 55th-minute strike failed to spark a comeback.

Midfielder Will Hughes was at the heart of everything Watford did, playing a part in both goals, and he had the crowd chanting about how he should be in the England squad.

Hughes said: “It’s very early to be talking in those terms. I’ve still got to prove myself in this league. You can’t expect to be called up on the back of one or two good games.”